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Hinsdale Central (5-3, 2-3 in Silver) at LT (4-4, 2-3 in Silver)


Ken Ryan, Sports Editor | Hinsdale Doings | Published Oct. 19, 2006

• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Bennett Field, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road, Western Springs

• Last year: Hinsdale Central 35, LT 14

• Outlook: his regular-season finale has plenty of playoff ramifications
for both teams.

A victory by the Red Devils, who beat Glenbard West 26-13 Friday, would
guarantee a postseason berth, while LT needs a win to have a shot at an
at-large bid based on playoff points. Hinsdale Central could still qualify
for the playoffs for the sixth straight season with a loss, but would rather
not rely on the point system to determine its fate.

The Lions, meanwhile, are in contention for their fifth straight playoff
appearance after that appeared highly unlikely just weeks ago. The Lions
dropped to 1-4 after an 8-6 loss to Proviso West on a rainy Sept. 30, their
first defeat ever to the Panthers. But the Lions have since won three
straight, including a stunning 34-27 victory over area-ranked Downers Grove
North Friday, their first win over the Trojans since 1993.

Senior running back Casey McMurray has rushed for 397 yards and has 11
rushing or receiving TDs, including nine TDs over the past three games. The
5-foot-7 McMurray, who also is LT’s placekicker, recently committed to play
baseball next season at Illinois.

Junior quarterback Eddie Viliunas, who took over the job halfway through
LT’s second game, has rushed for a team-high 486 yards and six TDs, and Luke
Gacek has rushed for 302 yards and four TDs. LT is averaging 33 points and
318 yards during its winning streak.

• Quotable: “It should be a (heck) of a fight,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike
DiMatteo said. “(LT) coach (Jack) Derning has been around forever and he
knows how to motivate kids. I’m sure he’s going to have them prepared, and
we better come ready to play.”

Copyright © 2006, The Doings